Coin controlled apparatus



Sept. 24, 1935.

T. W. B. WATLlNG COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS :5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 19, 1954 P 1935. T. w. B. WATLING A 2,015,640

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed July 19, 1934 a Sheets-Sheet 2 16 15 19 5 FT .1 5. 15 16 17 27 20 24 15 E i I 1W. x I O A11 39 y--- H @6 J m ll.

75 1\ A 70" *7! (I I- 7.9 a

Sept. 24, 1935. T. w. B. WATLING 2,015,640

COIN CONTROLLED APPARATUS Filed July 19, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 along the chute.

Patented Sept. 24, 1935 UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to coin-controlled apparatus and more particularly to the coin chute through which the coins are directed for display and operating purposes.

The coin-controlled apparatus to which this invention is particularly applicable has a vending or other operating mechanism housed within a casing and actuated by means which is normally locked but which is adapted to be unlocked by a coin of proper denomination inserted into the coin chute. In devices of this kind, an inserted coin is usually arrested in the operating position to cooperate with a plunger or other movable element for disabling the latch of the actuating means.

In the operation of vending machines, scales, and other coin-controlled apparatus, unscrupulous persons sometimes attempt to cheat the machines by inserting slugs or coins of smaller denomination than those for which the particular machine is intended. Various devices have been employed in machines of this kind to prevent or at least discourage such cheating. In some machines, for instance, a window has been provided in the front wall ofthe casing to permit inspection of a few of the coins located in the display zone of the chute. Several different forms of conveyers and pushers have been employed for moving the coins step-by-step through the display zone.

One type of conveyer which has long been in use for conveying the coins through the display zone consists of a chain having either cups for carrying the coins or lugs for pushing the coins The chain type of conveyer has been objectionable because of the large number of relatively movable parts employed and also because of the difiiculty encountered in properly controlling the feed of the chain.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a coin-controlled machine having an improved form of coin chute in which a large number of inserted coins may be displayed for inspection; to provide an improved form of conveyor for positivey moving the coins through the display zone and for spacing the coins from one another to secure the coins against overlapping in the chute; to provide improved means for intermittently actuating the conveyer for moving step-by-step all of the coins in the chute; to provide improved means controlled by said conveyer for arresting each coin at the discharge end of the chute for selection purposes prior to its discharge from the chute; and to provide improved means for discharging bent coins or slugs which may have become lodged in the inlet end of the chute thereby preventing such coins or slugs from jamming the machine.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 5

Fig. l is a front elevation of the improved coin chute and part of the operating mechanism; the

casing of the machine being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 5 and showing the rear elevation of the improved coin chute and conveyer.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevation of the coin chute and conveyer, portions thereof being broken away for clearness.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, taken from the right of Fig. 1, and showing also a portion of the machine casing.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the channel portion of the coin chute head; the front plate being removed.

Fig. '7 is a transverse vertical section, taken on the line 1--1 of Fig. 1.

In the construction shown in the drawings, the invention is applied to one type of vending machine but it is to 'be understood that. the invention is equally applicable to a large number of other types of coin-controlled machines. The drawings illustrate only those portions of the vending machine which will be of assistance in describing the improvement.

In the form illustrated, the machine comprises a casing having a front wall I and a top wall 2 with portions thereof bent to form a housing 3 for the improved coin chute. Mounted within the casing, is an upright frame 4 which supports the coin chute and also certain parts of the operating mechanism, as shown in Fig. 5.

The coin chute herein shown comprises an arcuate neck portion' 5 which directs the slugs or coins 5.l to a display portion 6 in which the coins are fed intermittently through a circular path for display purposes by means of an improved conveyer wheel I.

The neck 5 of the chute comprises a channel member 8 to which face plates 9 and H] are secured by screws H or other suitable fastening means. The upper end of the neck has the usual inlet l2 alined with an annular cup I3 on the front wall through which the coins are inserted.

Near the inlet l 2, the channel member 8 has an opening M in which is located a hinged gate I5 having lugs I6 pivoted on a hinge pin l1 supported in lugs 18 on the rear face of the channel 8. The gate is normally held closed by a coil spring I9 embracing the hinge pin. The purpose of the hinged gate is to permit the ejection of any bent coins or slugs which may become lodged in the neck.

The hinged gate I5 is manually opened to release the bent coin by means of a plunger 29 which projects through an aperture 2| in the front wall of the casing. The rear end of the plunger is adapted to be pushed through apertures 22 and 23 in the plate 9 and channel 8, respectively, for engagement with a lug 24 formed on the gate. The plunger is normally held out of the coin path by a coil spring 25 which embraces the plunger and which bears between the plate 9 and an annular shoulder 26 on the plunger. An opening 21 is formed in the hinged gate !5, to permit the ejection of pennies or small slugs.

The coins or slugs which are ejected through the hinged gate, are delivered to the top of the casing by means of a return chute 28 which extends through the rear wall of the housing 3.

Mounted on the channel member 8 is a magnet 29 adapted to deflect iron slugs into a return chute 30 as is well understood in the art.

If a coin is inserted into the machine before the previously inserted coin has left the operating position, the subsequently inserted coin will be ejected through the return chute 39 by means of a deflector member 3l.which is pivotally secured to the plate In by a hinge pin 32.

The deflector has an arm 33 provided with an inclined shelf 34 adapted to be projected through a slot 35 in the plate I so as to deflect a descending coin into the return chute 30 when the previously inserted coin is still in operating position. Formed on the deflector, is. an arm 36 which is adapted to coact with a coin in the operating position of the chute for rocking the deflector so as to project the shelf 34 into the chute. The deflector is properly counterbalanced so that the arm 36 normally extends into the chute and the shelf 34 is out of the chute when there is no coin in operating position.

In the form shown, the display portion 6 of the chute comprises concentric plates 31 and 38 secured to a rear supporting plate 39 by screws 48 and 4 I, respectively. The concentric plates 31 and 38 are spaced from the plane of the rear plate 39 by a spacer disk 42 and an annular flange 43, respectively,-so as to provide an annular guideway 44 through which the coins or slugs are moved by the improved conveyer. The plate 31 is of greater diameter than the spacer 42 and the plate 38 overhangs the inner edge of the flange 43 so as to form the front wall of the guideway 44. The flange 43 is preferably integral with the plate 39.

Inasmuch as the plane of the guideway 44 is offset from the plane of the neck portion of the chute, portions of the plates 31 and 38 are struck out to form curved deflectors 45 and 46, respectively, for guiding the coins from the lower end of the neck 5 into the lower portion of the guideway 44 where they are picked up by the conveyer and carried through an annular path. Adjacent the deflector 45, the spacer 42 is notched as shown at 41 to permit the coins to enter the guideway.

The first position in the guideway 44 which the coin occupies is the so-called operating position because in this position the coin cooperates with a plunger 48 carried on the upper end of a latch bar 49 which controls the operating mechanism, as hereinafter described.

The plunger 48 is slidable in a bearing 59 formed on a bracket 5! which is secured to the rear face of the plate 39 by screws 5i.l. Supported in this bracket, is a hub 52 which extends through the plates 31 and 39 and spacer 42. a flange 53 for rotatably supporting the conveyer 1 and a flange 54 which spaces the body of the conveyer from the rear plate 39. A washer 55 is interposed between the conveyer and the bracket 5|. 10

When there is no coin in the first station or operating position, and an attempt is made to operate the machine, the plunger 48 moves forwardly through notches 55 and 51 in the rear and front plates 39 and 38, respectively, for locking the mal5 chine. From an examination of Figures 1 and 4, it will be seen that the latch plunger 48 is positioned so as to engage each coin near the edge thereof so that both solid coins and apertured slugs or tokens may release the latch of the operating mechanism, as is well understood.

In the second station of the display zone, the solid coins coact with a plunger 58 carried on the upper end of a lever 59 which is pivotally secured to the frame 4 by a pin 68. The lower end of the lever 59 has a roller 6| coacting with a l member 52 of the vending mechanism, as is well understood in the art, so that, when a solid coin is present in the second station of the chute, the operator may obtain a stick of gum, piece of candy or the like from the vending magazine, not shown. The roller BI is held in contact with the member 62 by a spring 63 connected to the frame 4 and lever 59. Inasmuch as the specific form of vending machine forms no part of this invention, further details thereof have been omitted.

The pin or plunger 58 is positioned centrally of the coin or slug, and, therefore, if there is an apertured slug or token in the second station, the plunger 58 will pass through such token without operating the vending mechanism.

In order to permit the plungers 48 and 58 to enter the guideway 44 without interfering with the operation of the conveyer, these plungers are positioned below the path of the conveyer. For this reason, the inner edge of the annular flange 43 is cut away adjacent the plungers 48 and 58, as shown at 54, so as to support the coins at the proper level for coaction with the plungers. As shown in Figure 4, the coins ride up an inclined 5O runway 65 when leaving the recess 64.

In order to permit inspection of all of the coins in the display zone, a window (not shown) is placed in the front wall of the casing directly in front of the annular guideway 44.

In the form shown, the conveyer wheel 1 comprises a metal stamping having radially disposed arms 65 provided with forwardly extending fingers 61 which project through the guideway 44 for engagement with the coins. The fingers 61 are disposed centrally of the guideway so as to engage the rims of the coins at substantially the center thereof, except when the coin is located in the recess 64. This conveyer moves all of the coins in the display zone one step upon'each operation of the machine.

The conveyer is intermittently actuated by an operating link 58 which is connected to the operating mechanism. The upper end of the link 68 is pivotally connected to a vertically reciprocable 70 bar 69 having slots 10 for receiving guide pins 1! secured to the rear face of the plate 39. Formed on the bar 69, is an arm 12 having a pivot pin 13 which supports a detent 14 which is adapted to be carried downwardly into engagement with This hub has 5 an arm 66 of the conveyer wheel for rotating the conveyer one step. The detent is normally held against a stop 15 on the arm 12 by means. of a spring 19 which permits the detent to pivot on the upstroke of the bar 69. A stop 11 on the plate 39 limits the down-stroke of the detent.

In order to prevent reverse movement of the conveyer wheel and also for the purpose of properly positioning the conveyer after each operation, the conveyer has circumferential pockets 18 coacting with a pawl 19 which is pivotally secured to the plate 39 by a pin 89. A spring 8| holds the pawl-18 in yielding engagement with the conveyer.

Formed in the front face of the plate 39, is a vertical channel 82 into which each coin isejected after it is conveyed through the annular guideway 44. Extending into the guideway 44 adjacent the channel 82, are two oppositely disposed projections 83 and 84 which are adapted to disengage each coin from the conveyer to permit the coin to drop into the channel 82. The projection 83 is formed on the disk 42 adjacent the notch 41 and the oppositely disposed projection. 84 is formed on the plate 39.

Each coin which drops into the channel 82 is adapted to be detained at the lower end of the channel by a lug 95 on one end ofa retractable bar 89 to permit selection by a selector pin 81 which is carried on the upper end of a lever 88 pivotally mounted on the pin 69. The pin 81 is slidable in a boss 89 on the rear face of the plate 39 and is adapted to be projected forwardly through an aperture 99 in. said plate so as to enter the channel 82 upon each operation of the device. The purpose of this selector pin is to separate the solid coins from the apertured slugs or tokens.

If an apertured token or slug occupies the selecting position, when theselector pin 81 moves forwardly it will merely move through the central aperture in the token and, upon retraction of the pin and retraction of the bar 86, the token will drop through the lower open end of the channel 82 into a suitable receptacle not shown. If a solid coin occupies selecting position, when the in 81 moves forwardly it will eject the coin from the channel by pushing it forwardly through an opening 9| in the plate I9, whereupon the coin drops into another receptacle.

Adjacent the opening 9|, is a gate 92 which is pivotally secured to the plate 39 by a pin 93 and which is yieldingly urged by a spring 94 into position to prevent the coin from accidentally falling through the opening 9|. The gate 92, however, yields under the action of the pin 81.

The bar 39 has longitudinally extending slots 95 for receiving pins 99 mounted on the front face of the plate 39 to permit the lug 8.5 to move into and out of its operative position. The bar is yieldingly held in its operative position, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, by a spring 91 connected at one end to the bar and at its other end to a pin 93 on the plate 39. When it is desired that all coins should drop through the lower end of the channel 82, the bar 86 is retracted by disconnecting the spring 91 from the pin 99 and connecting it to a pin 99 on the plate 39.

On the end of the bar 89 adjacent the pin 99, is an arm I99 having a lug I9I projecting rearwardly through an opening I92 in the plate 39 for engagement with a bell crank I93 which is pivotally secured to the plate 39 by a pin I94. One arm of the bell crank is held in the path of the teeth or arms of the conveyer 1 by means of a spring I connected to the bracket 5|. Movement of the bell crank under the action of the spring I 95. is limited by a stop I 96 mounted on the plate 39. With this construction, upon each movement of the conveyor, the bell crank I93 retracts the bar 85 for moving the lug 85 away from the channel 82 so as to permit a slug or token to drop through the lower end of the channel.

In the form shown, the operating mechanism comprises a bell crank lever I 91 pivctally secured to the frame 4 by a pin I98. On the bell crank 91 is a pivoted finger I99 which carries aroller I I9 adapted to actuate part of the mechanism (not shown). A spring I I I connected to the bell crank I91 and frame 4 normally holds the bell crank in its retracted position against a stop I I2.

Formed on the lever I91, is a full stroke ratchet H3 adapted to cooperate with a pivoted, spring held dog I I4 on the frame 4 to compel a complete shift of. the lever before it returns to normal position. Mounted on the forward end of the lever I'91'is a pin I I5 adapted to cooperate with actuating means which may be similar to that shown in the copending application of Burns S. Watling, Serial No. 723,067, filed April 30, 1934..

Pivotally secured to 'a pin I 56 on the bell crank I 91, is a. spring-pressed dog I I I having a shoulder H9 adapted to engage the lower end of the lever 89 for shifting the selector pin 81 forwardly upon the up-s'troke of the bell crank lever I91.

Mounted on the lever I91, is a pin H9 extending through a slot I29 in the link 68. A spring PM is connected to the pin H9 and link 68 for holding the link in the position shown in Figure 5.

The operating mechanism is normally locked by the latch bar 49 which is pivotally secured to the frame 4 by a pin I22. Formed in the rear edge of the latch bar 49, is a notch I23 for receiving a lug I24 on the bell crank I 91 to prevent a complete stroke of the bell crank when the latch has not been disabled by a proper coin. The latch bar is normally urged toward its looking position by a spring I25 connected to the lower end of the lever 88. This spring also serves to retract the selector pin 81 when the lever I91 is depressed.

Formed on the inner edge of the latch bar 49, is a cam portion I26 adapted to coact with the lug I24 for holding the latch retracted, as shown in Figure 5, when the lever I91 is moved to its starting position. The construction is such that the latch permits a limited movement of the lever I91 without the use of a coin, i. e., the lever I91 may move until the lug I24 rides into the notch I23. To permit a complete stroke of the lever I91, the latch must be retained in its retracted position against the action of the spring I25. This is accomplished by the engagement of the plunger 48 with a coin in the first station of the display chute.

In operation, a coin which is inserted through the inlet I2 drops through the channel 8 and is deflected by the inclined deflectors 45 and 4.9 into the operating position or first station of the annular display guideway 44. In the first station ofthe guideway, the coin is positioned directly opposite the pin or plunger 49. If there is no coin of proper size in the first station of the display zone, and an attempt is made to actuate the bell crank I91, the lug I24 rides into the notch I23 and the spring I25 rocks the latch bar 49 thereby shifting the forwarding end of the plunger 48 through the path of the coins. However, if a coin of proper size is arrested in the first stationcf the display zone, it will stop the plunger 48 so as to prevent the latch bar 49 from being shifted into the path of the lug I24, and the operative stroke of the lever 10'! may then be completed.

Upon the down stroke of the lever ID! the link 68 is depressed so as to move the detent 14 downwardly for rotating the conveyer I one step in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 3 or clockwise as shown in Figure 1. When the conveyer is rotated one step, the coin opposite the latch control pin 48 is advanced to the second station which is directly opposite the vending pin 58. If an apertured token or slug is positioned in the second station, when the vending pin 58 moves forwardly it will merely pass through the aperture in the token and will not actuate the vending mechanism. However, if a solid coin is positioned opposite the vending pin 58, it will stop the forward movement of the vending pin so as to cause the operation of the vending mechanism not shown.

Upon the next step of the conveyer I, the coin or token is advanced from the vending position and rides up the incline 65.

In the construction herein shown, the conveyer is adapted to display 9 coins or tokens, but it is to be understood that the conveyer may be of any desired size so as to display any desired number of tokens. With this improved construction, all of the tokens or coins in the display chute are simultaneously advanced step by step.

When the foremost coin in the conveyer 1 reaches the projections 83 and 84, it is deflected laterally and rolls into the channel 82 where it comes to rest on the lug 85 of the bar 88. On the up-stroke of the bell crank lever I01, the shoulder N8 of the dog Ill strikes against the lower end of the lever 88 and projects the selector pin 81 forwardly through the channel 82. If there is a solid coin at the bottom of the channel 82, the forwardly moving selector pin 81 will strike such coin and will eject the coin from the channel. If, however, an apertured token is resting at the bottom of the channel 82, the forwardly moving selector pin 81 will merely pass through the aperture in the token and such token will drop through the lower open end of the channel 82 when the bar 88 is retracted through the operation of the bell crank I03.

If a bent coin is inserted through the inlet l2 and becomes jammed in the channel 8 adjacent the inlet, the operator of the machine may open the gate l5 by depressing the plunger 20 thereby permitting the bent coin to drop through the chute 28.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that certain details of the construction shown may be altered without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a casing, coin-controlled operating mechanism in said casing, a coin chute having a circular guideway through which the coins travel for display purposes, a conveyer wheel offset from the plane of said guideway and having circumferentially spaced fingers projecting laterally into said guideway for engagement with the rims of the coins, and means for intermittently rotating said wheel to advance all of the coins in said guideway stepby-step.

said casing, a coin chute having a circular guideway through which the coins travel for display purposes, a conveyer wheel offset from the plane of said guideway and having circumferentially spaced fingers projecting laterally into said guide- 5 way for engagement with the rims of the coins, means actuated by said operating mechanism for intermittently rotating said wheel to advance all of the coins in said guideway step-by-step, means for locking said mechanism, and a plunger for 10 releasing said means upon the presence of a coin at a predetermined station in said guideway, said plunger being adapted to enter said guideway at a point outside of the circular path traversed by said conveyer fingers. 15 3. A device of the class described comprising a casing, coin-controlled operating mechanism in said casing, a coin chute having a guideway through which the coins travel edgewise, a conveyer extending into said guideway for engage- 20 ment with the rims of the coins, means actuated by said operating mechanism for intermittently driving said conveyer to advance all of the coins in said guideway step-by-step, the major portion of said guideway being located so as to posi- 25' tion its coins substantially centrally with respect to the path of said conveyer, another portion of said guideway having a coin track offset laterally so that the centers of coins passing therethrough will be spaced from said conveyer path, and a 3 plunger adapted to move into said other portion of the guideway for controlling a part of said operating mechanism upon the presence of a coin in said other portion.

4. A device of the class described comprising a casing, coin-controlled operating mechanism in said casing, an annular guideway through which the coins travel, a conveyer wheel located on one side of the plane of said guideway and having circumferentially spaced fingers extending into said guideway for advancing the coins step-bystep, means for intermittently operating said conveyer, and means on the other side of the plane of said guideway for delivering the coins la'terally into the path of said conveyer fingers.

5. A device of the class described comprising a coin chute having a curved guideway through which the coins travel, a conveyer wheel having circumferentially spaced teeth projecting into said guideway for advancing all of the coins step-by-step, a reciprocable bar, a detent carried by said bar and adapted to engage said teeth for intermittently rotating said conveyer, and a pawl engaging said teeth to secure said conveyer against reverse movement.

6. A device of the class described comprising a coin chute having aguideway through which the coins travel, a conveyer for moving the coins step-by-step through said guideway, means for intermittently operating said conveyer, a channel arranged to receive the coins one at a time from said guideway, a retractable stop for supporting a coin in said channel, and selector means adapted to engage certain coins supported on said stop, said stop being intermittently retracted by said conveyer for releasing the coin from said channel.

'7. A device of the class described comprising a coin chute having an annular guideway through 7 which the coins travel, an intermittently rotatable wheel conveyer for moving the coins stepby-step through said guideway, means for intermittently operating said conveyer, a channel arranged to receive the coins one at a time from said guideway, a retractable stop for supporting a coin in said channel, and selector means adapted to engage certain coins supported on said stop, said stop being intermittently retracted by said conveyer for releasing the coin form said channel.

8. A device of the class described comprising a coin chute having a guideway through which the coins travel, a conveyer for moving the coins stepby-step through said guideway, means for intermittently operating said conveyer, a channel arranged to receive the coins one at a time from said guideway, a retractable stop for supporting a coin in said channel, selector means adapted to engage certain coins supported on said stop, said stop being intermittently retracted by said conveyer for releasing the coin from said channel, and means for retaining said stop in retracted position.

9. A device of the class described comprising a coin chute having an annular guideway through which the coins travel, a conveyer wheel having teeth extending into said guideway for advancing all of the coins step-by-step, means for intermittently rotating said conveyer, a channel arranged to receive the coins one at a time from said guideway, and means projecting into said guideway for disengaging the coin from said conveyer and for directing it into said channel.

10. A device of the class described comprising a coin chute having an annular guideway through which the coins travel, a conveyer wheel having teeth extending into said guideway for advancing all of the coins step-by-step, means for intermittently rotating said conveyer, a channel arranged to receive the coins one at a time from said guideway, and means located in said guide- Way adjacent the path of said conveyer teeth for deflecting each coin into said channel.

11. A device of the class described comprising a coin chute having an annular guideway through which the coins travel, a conveyer wheel having teeth extending into said guideway for advancing all of the coins step-by-step, means for intermittently rotating said conveyer, a channel arranged to receive the coins one at a time from said guideway, a movable stop adapted to hold a coin in said channel, selector means adapted to engage certain of the coins supported on said stop, a spring normally urging said stop into its operative position, and means actuated by said conveyer wheel for retracting said stop to release the coin from said channel.

THOMAS W. B. WATLING. 

